A Delhi court on Tuesday convicted former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to life imprisonment in connection with a case of murder related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja gave the judgment in the case of killings of Jaswant Singh and his son Tarundeep Singh, who were killed on November 1, 1984.
The prosecution, as well as Jaswant's wife—the complainant in the case—had demanded the death penalty for Kumar. While murder has a maximum punishment of capital punishment, the court went for the minimum stipulated sentence of life imprisonment.
On February 12, the court found Kumar guilty and then asked Tihar Central Jail to file a report on his psychiatric and psychological assessment. This was in accordance with a Supreme Court order requiring such assessments in cases where the death penalty is a likely sentence. Kumar is currently in jail at Tihar Jail.
While the case was originally recorded in the Punjabi Bagh Police Station, it was transferred to a special investigation team (SIT) later on.
In the view of the prosecution, a mob that was violent and armed with lethal weapons committed extensive lootings, arsons, and destruction of the properties owned by Sikhs in retaliation for the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The crowd reportedly invaded the house of the complainant, murdered her husband and son, looted their belongings, and burnt down the house, the prosecution alleged.
Read also| Advantage Assam: PM Modi Praises Northeast's Role in India's Growth
Read also| CAG Flags Irregularities in Kejriwal's Liquor Policy, Calls for Accountability
